5/29/03
Here
we are finally on our way out the door, Thursday night around 9:00pm.
Benjamin had to stay in the hospital a minimum of 48 hours. We didn't want
to stay a minute longer, so it was off to Mount Airy and to
big brother.

5/28/03
Jackson was very happy to meet "Babbity" (pronounced Babe-it-E) the
morning after he was born. He was a little disappointed that he couldn't
hold him in the NICU, but he came back the next day to get plenty of one on one
time with little brother

Benjamin Arrives

5/27/03
Tuesday the 27th was pretty exciting. We went to Amy's scheduled 38 week
doctor's appointment. She was 5 centimeters dilated (we were at the
hospital for two days before we got that far with Jackson), so they sent us
straight to the hospital. We had to get Jackson's Papa to come pick him
up, we didn't have the bags packed, the van's gas tank was empty. We were
completely frantic. 6 hours after we arrived, Benjamin was with us.
Amy could have pushed him out with the first push, but they made her stop to get
the doctor. It only took two more pushes (I think it took about 3 thousand
for Jackson to make his way into the world). So I guess they are right, it
is never the same thing twice.

Jackson
spends part of his time as Clark Kent and part of the time as Superman.

5/14/03.
Yes, a boy and his dog. We now take one of the dogs with us on most adventure
walks. Today it was Zorro's turn.

Kite Flying

5/12/2003. When I got home for lunch today, Amy and Jackson were
ready to have a picnic outside. It was so nice and windy that I dug our beach kite
out of the closet. We couldn't find the string, so Jackson had to improvise with his
Snoopy fishing pole. It worked pretty good, but it also gave us the kite flying
bug. So when I got home later that evening we bought some kite string and an
extra Justice League kite at the store, picked up
our friend Matthew and
his kite, then headed to Veterans Park to really do some flying. Or as Matthew put
it, "get Monster Air." We had a blast and the boys enjoyed running all
over the place.

Nursery

5/11/2003. We painted over the bugs from Jackson's
nursery so that things would be nice and new for Benjamin. Jackson wanted to
help and did a fantastic job. I don't think I will do any special painting on the
walls this time, but Timmesa has made a wonderful Baby Animals blanket for Benjamin.

Playground

5/10/2003.
Jackson wanted to spend some time at the park this afternoon, so we obliged.
The elementary school is right next door, which makes the playground nice and
convenient. It was a hot Saturday evening though and Jackson's sweaty little legs
would stick to the slide and he wouldn't go anywhere. So he used Daddy's shirt to
get a little momentum going. Then Jackson, Mommy, and Benjamin teamed up against me on the
See Saw.

5/10/2003.
It doesn't take a lot of arm twisting to get Jackson to help out with the water
hose. He cleaned off the driveway, helped us spray off the cars and didn't
even mind spraying the dogs for me when we gave them their baths. Alright, we might
have ended up a little wet before it was all over with, but isn't that the fun part?

Carnival

5/9/2003. Jackson and I met Caleb, Isabelle, Melanie and
Papa at the carnival. All the kids enjoyed the rides, especially Izzy. Jackson
said his favorite was the "rollercoaster" (FerrisWheel). He likes the view
from the top. He could see the "hill where we live" and the "hill
where Matthew lives."

5/3/2003. Jackson's Birthday. We managed to get the
entire party in before the thunderstorms and hail Saturday, but you may notice the
steamroller going down the road in the picture to the left. You might also notice
Sharon having to hike down the road next to it. Yes, the City said they didn't work
on weekends, but since it was Jackson's party they would make an exception. They
were nice enough to pave our entire road during Jackson's birthday party. On the
bright side, we didn't have to worry about traffic, just steamrollers, and Jackson now has
a nice smooth road to ride his skateboard on.

Jackson
said his favorite part of the party was the piņata. Here he is enjoying some of the
spoils. Below is a group shot taken a split second after Matthew was accidentally
poked in the eye. And a picture of Papa and Isabelle.

Jackson
had a Spiderman birthday party. Here are some pictures from the "Web the bad
guys" game.

5/04/2003. Jackson is playing with the Sand and Water table
Jeff, Timmesa and Grandma Sue got him while the new Buzz Mo and Papa got him rides in his
backpack.

5/1/03. Mary Beth and Stanley sent Jackson a box full of
Rescue Hero gear for his birthday. He loves his toys, so he truly appreciates gifts
he is given. Each piece had to be pulled out and admired before he would get
something else out. He now says he has everything you need to be a real Rescue Hero.

Nolan, Christy, and Salem gave Jackson a bucket with SpiderMan, Batman, and a Rescue
Hero in it the day before. So it has been a good couple of days for Jackson.

5/1/03.
Jackson jumping over the crocodiles in our living room floor during one of his last
days as a two year old.